Turbine driven drilling tool



Oct. 29, 1968 L.- E. VIVION TURBINE DRIVEN DRILLING TOOL Filed March 6, 1967 llI Inf/enfor- VI/ afan Atto/neg United States Patent Oce Patented Oct. 29, 1968 3,407,887 TURBINE DRIVEN DRILLING TOOL Lee E. Vivion, 318 Coronado, Long Beach, Calif. 90814 Filed Mar. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 620,896 Claims. (Cl. 175-106) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A turbine driven well drilling tool including an elongate tubular body, a semi-universal fluid handling coupling at the upper end of the body and engaged with the lower end of a string of drill pipe, a rock bit rotatably carried at and by the lower end of the body, reduction gear means within the lower end of the body in driving engagement with the bit, an elongate rotor within the body with its lower end in driving engagement 'with the reduction gear means and having a conical vane impeller at its upper end and a helical vane extending downwardly and about the rotor below the impeller and a head in the body about the impeller with nozzle means to direct fluid flowing downwardly through the construction onto the vanes of the impeller; said bit having fluid circulating means communicating with the interior of the body and chemical dispensing means incorporated in the construction.

An object of this invention is to provide a well drilling tool engageable on the lower end of a string of drill pipe which is adapted to drill new hole in an earth formation in advance of the tool, without requiring rotation and/ orreciprocation of the drill pipe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well drilling tool of the general character referred to which is semi-universally connected with its related drill pipe string whereby the axis of the tool can be angularly related to the axis of the drill pipe to facilitate changing the direction of the 'well hole as the tool is advanced in the earths formation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tool of the character referred to which includes a rotary bit, a iiuid driven rotor and reduction gear means between the bit and the rotor, said reduction gear means including a single reduction gear unit or a plurality of series connected reduction gear units, as desired or as circumstances require.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a tool of the character referred to wherein the well circulating fluid tlowing through the construction is directed through the bit in a predetermined manner so as to enhance the action of the bit to reduce the formation in its path.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of the character referred to having means for introducing and blending chemical additives to the well circulating iluid at the bottom of the well hole.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel highly effective and eticient rotor constructed including means for dispensing and blending chemicals into the well circulating fluid during drilling operations.

Finally, it is an object of my invention to provide a tool of the character referred to which is easy and economical to manufacture and maintain; easy and convenient to use and which is highly effective and dependable in operation.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longttudinal sectional view of the lower end of a well structure showing my new tool arranged therein;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of my new tool taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 3 3 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view 'taken as indicated by line 4 4 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 6--6 on FIG. 5.

The turbine driven well drilling tool A that I provide is adapted to be engaged on the lower terminal end of an elongate string of fluid handling drill pipe L and is adapted to be lowered into a well hole W to engage and rest on the bottom thereof, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, The walls of the well hole W, above the bottom of the hole, can in accordance with common practice be suitably shored or supported by a casing C.

The tool A that I provide includes generally, an elongate tubular fluid conducting body B with open and lower ends and a straight cylindrical bore 10. The body B can, in practice, be established of a simple length of tube or pipe stock.

The upper end of the body B is internally threaded as at 11 and threadly receives an annular seat ring 12 of a semi-universal coupling U. The seat ring 12 has an upwardly opening annular semi-spherical seat 13 in which the lower half of a spherical or ball member 14 of the coupling U is seated. The member 14 has a substantially vertical and upwardly projecting stem 15. The member 14 and stem 15 are formed integrally and have a central longitudinal flow passage 16 extending through them. The upper end of the stem 15 is provided with a threaded box 17 in which a threaded pin 18 on the lower end of the drill pipe string L is engaged.

An annular keeper ring .19 is freely engaged about the stem 18 and is threadedly engaged on and about the upper portion of the seat ring 12. The ring 19 is provided with an annular downwardly opening semi-spherical seat 20 which opposes the seat 13 and the seat ring 12 and engages the upper portion of the member 14.

The seat ring 12 and keeper ring 19 are in axial alignment with the body.

It will be apparent that with the semi-universal coupling U, made up of the rings 12 and 19 and the member 14 with its stern 15, the central longitudinal axis of the body B can be angularly related and adjusted relative to the central longitudinal axis of the drill pipe L with which the construction is related, as desired or as circumstances require.

It will be further apparent that the coupling U can be tightened so as to fix the body in predetermined angular relationship or in alignment with the drill pipe string by advancing the keeper ring downwardly to effect tight clamped engagement on and about the spherical member 14 between the opposing seats 13 and 20 of the coupling U.

In practice, the seats 13 and 20 of the coupling U are provided with annular substantially radially inwardly disposed grooves 21 in which the suitable sealing rings 22- are engaged to seal with the member 14.

Further, a suitable set screw 23 is carried by the clamp ring and engages the seat ring to releasably maintain the ring in predetermined rotative position relative to each other.

Arranged in the upper end of the bore 10 in the lobby B, immediately below and abutting the lower end of the seat ring 12 of the coupling U,'is a head H. The head H has -a straight cylindrical exterior, is slidably engaged in the ibore and is fixed therein by a plurality of circumferentially spaced screw fasteners 24 engaged in the body, from the exterior thereof and into the head,

The head H has a central opening 25 entering its upper end and has a central downwardly divergent conical cavity 26 entering its lower end and communicating w-ith the opening 25.

The seat ring 12 of the coupling U is provided with a downwardly opening chamber 27 having downwardly divergent side walls and with which the lower end of the passage 16 in the spherical part N14 communicates. The lower end of the chamber 27 is closed by the top surface 28 of the head H. The major extent of the top surface 28 of the head is exposed to the interior of the chamber 27, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. ,In addition to the foregoing, the head H is provided ,.terior` of they body portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly,

circumferentially and radially inwardly inclined nozzle openings N, which nozzle openings enter the top surface 28 of the head and extend through the head to communicate with the uppermost portion of the conical cavity 26.

It will be apparent that the lower inner discharge ends of the no zzle openings N are inclined slightly downwardly and are inclined or pitched circumferentially of the downwardly and radially outwardly inclined walls of said cavity.

The lower end of the body B and spaced a substantial distance below the head H is an annular race ring R. The race ring R is fixed to the body as Iby welding 30 and has a radially inwardly opening annular ball race 31 and a rradially outwardly extending access opening 32 establishing communication with the race 31 and the exterior of the tool and in which a suitable keeper plug 33 is threadedly engaged.

Arranged within and extending downwardly from the race R is a rock bit F. In the case illustrated, the bit F is a high speed diamond bit and is shown as having a lower downwardly convergent conical body portion 35 the exterior, downwardly and outwardly disposed conical surface of which is provided with a matrix (not shown) in which diamonds 36 are set.

The body of the bit F is slightly greater in major diametric extent than the body B and is engaged so that its top surface 37 is spaced below and opposes the bottom end of the race ring R.

The bit F further includes a central cylindrical stem portion 38 projecting upwardly from the top surface 37 of the body portion and freely into the race ring. The stem portion 38 has a radially outwardly opening annular ball race 39 which opposes the race 31 in the race ring and is provided with radially outwardly opening annular grooves 40 above and lbelow the race 39 and in which suitable sealing rings 41 are arranged. The rings 41 serve to seal between the race ring and the bit above and below the ball races and prevent the ow of circulating fluid out of or into the body about the exterior of the bit.

An annular row of ball bearings 42 are arranged in and between the races to rotatably support and retain the bit F in the race ring and relative to the body B.

The balls 42 are moved into and out of engagement in the structure through the opening 32 in the race ring and are retained within the structure by the plug 33.

With the above relationship of parts it will be apparent that the bit F is freely rotatable relative to the body B and is so related to the ring R that it can be easily and conveniently removed for the purpose of replacement, The bit F is further provided with a central upwardly projecting boss 45 with a central upwardly opening threaded socket 46 and is also provided with a plurality of fluid passages 47 entering the top of the stem portion about `the boss and extending downwardly through the bit to open at predetermined points or locations about the exof the bit .whereby .circulating uid flowing through the construction is directed outwardly onto the formation being acted upon by the bit and in such a manner as to enhance the formation cutting and reducing action of the bit.

Since the number, sizeand arrangement of iiuid passages- 47 in the bitIF can varywidely without departing from the spirit of this invention, I will not burden this disclosure with further unnecessary and burdensome consideration of the particular passages disclosed in the drawings. v

With the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that the upper end of the-body 10 is closed by the coupling assembly U and head H and that the .lower end thereof is closed'by the race ring R and bit F. The structure closing the upper and lower ends of the body are spaced a substantial distanceA apart and coopera-te with the body B to define an elongate .central chamber X in the tool structure.

Arranged in the lower end of thechamber X, centrally thereof and adjacent the upper endof the boss 45,-y is a reduction gear means M, which means caninclude one or more reduction gear units G. In the case illustrated, I have shown the means, M as including two, like, series connected gear units G. Each unit G is shown as including an upper disc-shaped carrier plate 50. The plate 50 is substantially smaller in outside diametric extent. than the bore 10 of the body and cooperates therewith to detine an annular axially extending flow passage between the unit and the bore 10 of the body. The plate is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting support arms 51, the outer ends of which slidably engage the bore of the body and are fixed thereto by means of screw fasteners S2 engaged through the body, from the exterior thereof and into the outer ends of said arms. The plate is further provided with a central opening 53 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly projecting posts 54.

An input shaft 55 is rotatably arranged in the opening 53 by suitable bearing means 56. The upper end of the shaft projects a short distance above the plate and has a central upwardly opening threaded socket 57. The lower portion of the shaft depends from the plate and is formed to establish a drive pinion gear 58.

Each of the.posts 54, about the shaft 55, carries an idler pinion gear 59, each of which gears is in driving engagement with the drive gear 58 and is rotatably carried vby its post by means of suitable bearings 60. In addition to the foregoing, each unit G includes a driven member 61, which member is in the form of an upwardly opening cup-like part having a cylindrical side wall 62 formed with or carrying a radially inwardly disposed ring gear 63 engaged with the idler pinions 59, a flat bottom wall 64 with an upwardly opening central socket 65 and a central depending threaded. output shaft 66.

The socket 65 receives and carries a bearing 67 in which the lowerterminal end of the input shaft 55 is rotatably supported and guided.

The output shaft 66 of the lower unit R is threadedly engaged in the socket 46 in'the boss at the top of the bit F and establishes driving engagement therewith.

The output shaft 66 of the upper unit G is threadedly engaged in the socket 57 in the top of the input shaft vof the lower unit G and establishes driving engagement therewith.l

Arranged in the chamber X between the means M in the lower portion of the body and the head H in the upper portion of the body is an elongate rotor T which rotor includes an elongate tubular body 70 closed at its upper end by an upwardly divergent conical impeller I. The impeller I has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes 71 that projects radially from the body of the impeller and extend downwardly and circumferentially about the exterior thereof. l

The impeller is cooperatively arranged in the cavity 24 of the head H with running clearance and the vanes thereof are inclined or pitched so as to loppose 'the lower open ends'of the nozzles in such` a manner that fluid flowing downwardly through the construction and through the nozzle openings N impinge upon the vanes in such a manner Vas to effectively and efficiently rotate the rotor. The upper end of the impeller I is provided with an upwardly projecting, cylindrical pin 75, which pin is engaged in and is'rotatably supported by a bearing 76 arranged and seated-in the central lopening 25 in the head H. The body 70 is smaller -in diameter than the impeller I and the bore of the body B and cooperates with the bore of the body to define an elongate annular flow passage extending downwardly from below the impeller I and into which fluid flowing through the cavity `26 and bythe impeller I is exhausted. The body 70 of the rotor is provided with and carries an elongate radially outwardly projecting downwardly and circumferentially extending helical vane V, the outer edge of which is arranged in runningclearance with the bore 10 of the body. The vane V extends into and longitudinally of the annular flow passagedelined by the body B and rotor body 70. The vane V serves to absorb residual motive forces from the drilling fluid exhausted into the annular flow chamber between the rotor body 70 and body B which was not absorbed by the impeller I and also serves to control the flow of fluid through the construction so as to prevent the establishment of a vortex-like flow in the uidbelow the impeller and which would otherwise create turbulence and impede the free flow of fluid through the construction.

I' The lower end of the body 70 is closed by a suitable cap 76', which cap is provided with a central depending threaded stem 77. The stem 77 at the lower end of the rotor is threadedly engaged in the socket 57 `in the upper end of the input shaft 55 `of the uppermost reduction gearrunit G of the means M to establish driving engagement therewith.

In practice, if desired, the impeller' I and the pin 75 thereof is provided with a central longitudinal fluid passage 80 communicatin-g with the interior of the body 70. The stem 75 projects upwardly into the chamber 27 defined by the head H and the seat ring 12 and is connected with the lower end of a flexible fluid conducting line 81 extending downwardly through the drill pipe string L, by means of a suitable fluid conducting swivel tting 82. Since the fitting 82 can vary widely in form and construction and since the form and construction of the said fitting in no way 'affects the novelty of the invention, I will not burden this disclosure with further detailed description thereof.

The @fluid conducting line 81 extending downwardly through the drill pipe string can be of any suitable form, but is preferably in the nature of a small diameter flexible hose. l l

The body 70 ofthe rotor T is provided with an upper radially outwardly opening ingress port 83 immediately below the impeller-I and a lower substantially radially outwardly disposed egress port 84 at the lower end of the body 70 or, as illustrated, in the cap 76. The port 83 at the upper end of the body 70 communicates with the annulus about the body when the pressure of the fluid is substantially greater than the pressure at the lower end of thebody and adjacent the port 84, with the result that a controlled rate of fluid ow is established in through the port 83 downwardly through the body and out throu-gh `the port 84. In operation, when it is desired to introduce a chemical into the drilling fluid, such as a highly corrosive acid for the purpose of treating and softening the formation being worked upon, or a soap or the like to change the viscosity of the drilling fluid or mud, the additive is pumped'downwardly through the line 81 and into the rotor body 70. The flow of liuid downwardly through the body 70, in through the port 83 and out through the port 84 blends and mixes with the chemical so that the chemical is pre-mixed with a portion of the fluid before it is discharged into the main stream of'fluid below the rotor.

The ports 83 and 84 are spaced apart, 180 degrees circumferentially of the body 70, so that llluid enters one side thereof and exits the other side thereof.

It will be apparent that the port 84, by virtue of the rotation of the rotor T, dispenses the pre-mixed additive substantially uniformly into the downwardly flowing annular column of circulating iluid in the construction.

In practice, a helcally twisted, longitudinally extending ribbon like baille (shown in dotted lines in FIG. V2 of the drawing) can be arranged within the body 70, which baffle enhances the mixing of the chemical additive and the fluid flowing through the body by causing the fluid to follow a helical path downwardly through the body and by preventing the establishment of a vortex flow which would tend to cause the heavier or denser of the two dissimilar materials from flowing to the outside of the interior of the body and in such a manner that mixing or blending is prevented.

In normal operation of my new tool, the well drilling uid pumped downwardly through the string of drill pipe L flows through the coupling U into the chamber 27 and is directed into and through the nozzle openings N in the head H. The fluid flowing through and out of the nozzle openings N in the head impinge upon the vanes of the impeller I and rotate the rotor. The Huid, as it flows downwardly by the impeller I and into the annulus therebelow, acts upon the vane V of the rotor and further drives and rotates said rotor. The rotor drives the upper input shaft of the reduction gear means M and the lower output shaft of said means M drives the bit F relative to the remainder of the construction. The fluid flowing downwardly in the body, below the rotor, ows about the exterior of the means M and thence through the flow passages 47 in the bit F and is discharged from the bit into the well hole W, at the bottom thereof. The circulating fluid then flows upwardly in the annulus between the well hole and drilling string.

It will be apparent that in practice, depending upon the viscosity of the drilling fluid, the rate of flow of said fluid through the construction and the desired rate of rotation of the bit F, it may be required that the relative rotative speeds of the rotor and bit be varied. To effect such variation in the relative rotative speeds of the rotor and bit, the number of reduction gear units G can 'be varied and/or the gear ratio of said units G can be varied, as desired or as circumstances require. It will be apparent that in those cases where the number of units G is varied, the longitudinal extent of the body B and/ or of the body 70 of the rotor T must be lvaried.

Since the body B is a relatively simple and inexpensive part and since assembling said disassembling the construction is extremely simple, providing bodies B 0f different longitudinal extent with different numbers of units G therein would be both feasible and practical.

In practice, the body B can ibe of fixed longitudinal extent and the rotor T can be such that its longitudinal extent can be varied to accommodate a greater or lesser number of units G. In such a case, a tubular extension (not shown) can be engaged in and between the lower end of the rotor body 70 and the botto-m cap 76 therefor.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, vI do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/or variations that fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well drilling tool including, an elongate, vertical, tubular body with a longitudinal cylindrical bore, a fluid handling coupling at the upper end of the body and engageable with the lower end of a string of fluid conducting drill pipe, a rotary bit rotatably carried by the lower end of the body, a reduction gear means arranged centrally within the body at the lower end portion thereof and having an upper input shaft and a lower output shaft connected with the bit, a head in the upper portion of the body, an elongate rotor rotatably arranged centrally in the lbody with its lower end in driving engagement with the input shaft, said rotor having circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting, circumferentially and axially extending vanes, said head having downwardly circumferentially and radially inwardly inclined nozzle openings and directing fiuid flowing downwardly into the upper portion of the structure and through the head onto the vanes.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central upwardly divergent downwardly, opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles communicating with the upper portion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which is arranged within the cavity with running clearance.

3. A structure as set lforth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central, upwardly divergent, downwardly opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles cornmunicating with the upper portion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which is arranged within the cavity with running clearance, said rotor depending from the conical portion in axial alignment with the Ibore and cooperating therewith to define a longitudinally extending annular ow passage in the body between the head and gear reduction means, said cylindrical body portion having a downwardly and circumferentially and longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting helical vane operatively arranged in said annular fiow passage.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said uid handling coupling at the upper end of the body to connect with a drill pipe string is a semi-universal coupling including a Ifirst part fixed to the body, a second part to be fixed to a drill pipe and shiftably related to the first part and means related to said first and second parts to releasably secure said parts in 'fixed position relative to each other.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central upwardly divergent downwardly opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles communicating with the upper portion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which is arranged within the cavity with running clearance, said liuid handling coupling at the upper end of the body to connect with a drill pipe string is a semi-universal coupling including a `first part fixed to the body, a second part to be fixed to a drill pipe and shiftably related to the first part and means related to said first and second parts to releasably secure said parts in fixed position relative to each other.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central upwardly divergent, downwardly opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles cornmunicating with the upper portion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which is arranged within the cavity with running clearance, said rotor further including an elongate cylindrical body portion depending from the conical portion in axial alignment with the Ibore and cooperating therewith to define a longitudinally extending annular ow passage in the lbody between the head and gear reduction means, said cylindrical body portion having a downwardly and circumferentially and longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting helical vane operatively arranged in said annular fiow passage, said fluid handling coupling at the upper end of the body to connect with a drill pipe string being a semi-universal coupling including a first part fixed to the body, a second part to be fixed to a drill pipe and shiftably re- -lated to the first part and means related t0 said first and rotatably carrying the upper impact shaft, a drive means on the input shaft, a plurality of circumferentially spaced idler pinions rotatably carried by the plate and engaged with the drive pinion, a ring gear arranged about and engaging the idler pinions and carried by the lower output shaft. Y

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reduction gear means includes a plurality of vertically aligned series connected reduction gear units, each unit including a plate fixed centrally in the body in spaced relationship with the bore thereof and rotatably carrying the upper input shaft, a drive pinion on the input shaft, a plurality of circumferentially spaced idler pinions rotatably carried by the plate and engaged with the drive pinion, a ring gear arranged about and engaging the idler pinions and carried by the lower outputI shaft, the input shaft of the uppermost unit connected with a shaft on the lower end of the rotor, the input shaft of each other unit connected with the output shaft of the upper adjacent unit and the output shaft of the lower unit connected with the bit.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central upwardly divergent, downwardly opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles communicating with the upperportion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which is arranged within the cavity with lrunning clearance, said rotor further including an elongate cylindrical body portion depending from the conical portion in axial Aalignment with the bore and cooperating therewith to define a longitudinally extending annular flow passage in the body between the head and gear reduction means, said cylindrical body portion having a downwardly Iand circumferentially and longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting helical vane operatively arranged in said annular flow passage, said fluid handling coupling at the upper end ofthe body to connect with a drill pipe string being a semi-universal coupling including a first part fixed to the body, `a second part to be fixed to a drill pipe and shiftably related to the first part and means `related to said first and second parts to releasably secure said parts in fixed position relative to each other, the reduction gear means including a plurality of vertically aligned series connected reduction gear units, each unit including a plate-fixed centrally in the body in spaced relationship with the bore thereof and rotatably carrying the upper input shaft, a drive pinion on the input shaft, a plurality of circumferentially spaced idler pinions rotatably carried by the plate and engaged with the drive pinion, a ring gear arranged about and engaging the idler pinions and carried by the lower output shaft, the input shaft of the uppermost unit connected with a shaft on the lower end of the rotor, the input shaft of each other unit connected with the output shaft of the upper adjacent unit and the output shaft of the lower unit connected with the bit. v

10. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has a central upwardly divergent, downwardly opening conical cavity, the discharge end of said nozzles communicating with the upper portion of said cavity and said rotor has an upwardly divergent conical impeller on which the vanes occur and which are arranged within the cavity with 4running clearance, said rotor further including an; elongate cylindrical body portion depending from the conical portion in axial alignment withthe bore and cooperating there with to define a longitudinally extending annular flow passage in the body between the head and gear reduction means, said cylindrical body portion having a downwardly and circumferentially and longitudinally extending, radially outwardly projecting helical vane operatively arranged in said annular flow passage, and chemical dispensing means including a central upwardly opening llow passage in the rotor, a Huid conducting swivel joint above the -rotor communicating with the ilow passage 4and connected with a fluid conducting line extending upwardly and through .a related drill pipe string and lateral discharge ports in the body portion of the rotor communicating with the ow passage and adapted to discharge fluid circulated downwardly through the line into the annular ow passage below the impeller.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Howcott 175-107 X Bannister 175-106 McNamara 175-106 X McDonald 175-106 X Whittle 175--106 X Martin 175--106 X Wepsala 175--107 NILE C. BYERS, IR., Primary Examiner. 

